Critic Reviews

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91

The Video Game Critic

The only thing that bothered me about Strider 2 is its unlimited continues, which allow you to complete the game in roughly an hour. It's still possible to play for best time and score however, which are saved to memory card. The option menu includes a rapid-fire option to help avoid thumb strain. Strider 2's second disk holds an arcade-perfect version of the original Strider game, which is yet another fantastic game. I took Strider 2 for granted back in the day, but I won't be making that mistake again.

In the end, Strider 2 rose way above my expectations, I thought that I would be playing some average game but as it turns out I haven't played a game like Strider 2, well... since Strider 1 or Streets of Rage on Sega Genesis. The visuals may not be the polygon crunchers, but the quality of them is very inspired. The gameplay mechanics and control is extremely easy, but the only thing is the sound. Overall a masterpiece! If a Capcom rep is out there, this game must be released in the US, it'll be a shame if Strider Hiryu never saw itself in the states.

Even with the slowdown and loading problems of Strider 1 and Strider 2's shortcomings in the challenge department, the bottom line is that Strider 2 for the PlayStation is a must-have package for fans of arcade-style action games. This genre seems pretty much dead right now and this is undoubtedly one of the best games of its kind. If you don't mind the fact that it's a very short game, you owe it to yourself to add this game to your collection. It's enormously fun -- and isn't that what really matters in the end?

Strider 2 comes in a two-disc set—one disc for Strider 2, and the other for the original Strider arcade game. Although Capcom somehow managed to label the discs incorrectly, they did a good thing in including the game that my friends and I used to play like crazy on the Genesis so many years ago. With the release of Strider 2, gamers can now get an up-close, hands-on experience with two interpretations of classic action game thrills. The old Strider is a chance to play a landmark game, while Strider 2 shows us how exciting old game formulas can be with liberal use of current console technology.

If anything, the infinite continues are the biggest downer in the whole package. It just takes the challenge and literally throws it out the window. Most people will be able to beat Strider 1 & 2 in a day, which makes me really consider recommending this game for purchase or not. Yes the games are great, but even with the replay factor of Strider 2, you probably won't be coming back to either game after a month or less. Can you afford to buy a game that may not have you glued to it for weeks at a time? That's up to you as I've just warned you. Personally I'll treasure both games and it will be really cool to be able to play either of them when I get a hankering for some retro side-scrolling action. Hey, I don't play Time Pilot every day, but you can bet that when I pull out Konami's Arcade Classics, I'm glad that it's in my collection. My final advice? Buy it. It's good enough to own, even if you just play it once in awhile.

While Strider 2 is worthy of the legacy established back in '89, it offers little more than a tease of where future Strider's could go. On more powerful hardware, we could get, perhaps, a fully 3D Strider or a 2D Strider with far more frames of animation (a la Street Fighter III). In any case, the double set of Strider 1 and 2 is an excellent starter kit for the uninitiated, but for veterans of the series, it's like dinner without the dessert.

Fans of the Genesis original can rejoice with Capcom's release of Strider 2. Not only can they play the classic game they know and love, but the updated version delivers relentless arcade thrills and makes our hero, Strider Hiryu look as cool as any game protagonist we've ever had the pleasure of playing as. Since it is nothing more than an arcade action game, some casual gamers may shy away from Strider 2's harsh difficulty and limited replayability, while others might enjoy showing off the game's stellar visuals to their friends. Parents will have little to worry about aside from the cartoon violence -- which depicts Hiryu slashing through enemies without any of the gory details.

Despite any downsides this game might have, Strider 2 delivers what it was meant to— sheer fun. The graphics are very good, the sounds are good and the gameplay, for the most part, is also good. With the new trimmings given to the sequel and the inclusion of the original game, Strider 2 is a safe bet for fans of Strider or classic gaming in general. People used to 32-bit gaming might be a little disappointed with the gameplay but it is still a fun title to check out.

Regardless of the simplicity and somewhat redundant gameplay, Strider 2 is a fast moving game. Because Hiryu runs through every level, you'll have very little time to marvel at the surrounding environments. Additionally, hacking enemies to pieces never seems to get old. That said, the sequel offers little challenge and doesn't take very long to complete; fortunately, Capcom included the original Arcade version with the package. While it would be nice to see the series move into the 3D realm, this platformer is definitely worth the price of admission.

Strider 2 caters directly to fans of the first game, and to those who live to play side-scrollers. In many ways, the professed sequel is more of an update to the original Strider than anything else. Featuring the same story and goal of assassinating an evil dictator, this title takes the player on a nostalgic ride through the side-scrolling glory days of yesteryear. There are several innovative elements, such as rotating 3D environments, or Strider’s unparalleled freedom of motion as he climbs walls and ceilings, but they are still hampered by the essentially basic nature of this title. Those intrigued by the combination of the original and the sequel together should take two words of warning. First, they are virtually the same product, with only minor changes to gameplay, and second, only combined are they substantial enough in terms of gameplay to make them a worthwhile expenditure.

So, how does the Strider collection stand up against the likes of other current imports? In all fairness, I have to admit that it doesn't put up a good fight. Since Capcom has announced a May domestic release of Strider Hiryu 1 & 2, I would suggest waiting for the localization. Domestic prices will surely make this one a winner in the states. I'm know all of you die-hard Strider fans have your copies by now. But for those of you were not sure about waiting, save your money, it will be well worth it come May.

The truth is that both Strider 1 and 2 are good no-brainer veg-out games. Of course, the thing could have come out when the Playstation first launched and I would have given it the same grade. Oh well.